I have Sprint. I went on my in laws plan and pay $60 per month for 2 phones with unlimited data and texting. We were paying $140 for 2 phones with Verizon...only one with data. It was a nice upgrade and savings switching to Sprint.

If we didn't go that route we would have gone to straight talk. It would have been $40 per month per phone for unlimited talk & text. Not sure about data on it though. You would have to pay full price for a phone I believe.

I'm assuming your cell phone is used for more than just emergencies. If it were only for emergency use I'd go the tracphone route. My mom still has one and loves it.